20 January 2009:
1. Outgoing President George W. Bush quietly boards his helicopter and leaves for Texas, commenting only: "Today is not about me. Today is a historical day for our nation and people."
Eight years ago:
1. Outgoing President Bill Clinton schedules two separate radio addresses to the nation, and organizes a public farewell speech/ rally in downtown Washington D.C. scheduled to directly conflict with incoming President Bush's inauguration ceremony.
20 January 2009:
2. President Bush leaves office without issuing a single Presidential pardon, only granting a commutation of sentence to two former border patrol agents convicted of shooting a convicted drug smuggler. He does not grant any type of clemency to Scooter Libby or any other former political aide, ally, or business partner.
Eight years ago:
2. President Clinton issues 140 pardons and several commutations of sentence on his final day in office. Included in these are: billionaire financier, convicted tax evader, and leading Democratic campaign contributor Marc Rich; Whitewater scandal figure Susan McDougal; Congressional Post Office Scandal figure and former Democratic Congressman Dan Rostenkowski; convicted bank fraud, sexual assault and child porn perpetrator and former Democratic Congressman Melvin Reynolds; and convicted drug felon Roger Clinton, the President's half-brother.
20 January 2009:
3. The Bush daughters leave gift baskets in the White House bedrooms for the Obama daughters, containing flowers, candy, stuffed animals, DVD's and CD's, and heartfelt notes of encouragement and advice for the young girls on how to prepare for their new lives in the White House.
Eight years ago:
3. Clinton and Gore staffers rip computer wires and electrical outlets from the White House walls, stuff piles of notebook papers into the White House toilets, systematically remove the letter "W" from every computer key-pad in the entire White House, and damage several thousand dollars worth of furniture in the White House master bedroom.
Headlines On This Date 4 Years Ago:
"Republicans spending $42 million on inauguration while troops Die in unarmored Humvees"
"Bush extravagance exceeds any reason during tough economic times"
"Fat cats get their $42 million inauguration party, Ordinary Americans get the shaft"
Headlines Today:
"Historic Obama Inauguration will cost only $170 million"
"Obama Spends $170 million on inauguration; America Needs A Big Party"
"Everyman Obama shows America how to celebrate"
"Citibank executives contribute $8 million to Obama Inauguration"
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
HMMMMM I guess it all depends on the spin and who the recipient is? I'm sure that $170m party didnt include the cleanup cost from those pics you posted of the MESS on the National Mall. Get used to the spending folks. On our way to bankruptcy. All the talk now from Washington is Nationalizing the banking system. How will a Bankrupt, overspending government who just passed the biggest Spending umm I mean "stimulus" bill save the bankrupt banks? We are already in debt over our heads to China and Russia. Wait til they want their money back. We are an owned Country acting like we have plenty to go around. What happened to not spending more than you make?
ReplyDeleteFor the love of money is the root of all evil.
After all , isn't it our right?
Pres. Obama will be the president for more than 2 terms. He is planning his stragedy now moving the census bureau under his right arm.He is also laying the groundwork to have the stipulation changed where a president can only serve 2 terms. I watch the Fox channel and some citizens are becoming aware of what they have elected. Remember after you open a can of worms it is hard to put them back in. With the signing of the new stimulus bill, we can expect taxes to rise to the same percent as those in England. Enjoy all your luxury items, for you won't be able to afford them in the near future.Obama must make many inside changes before the American people realize who they have elected. If not, a Republican landslide will be the 2012 results.
ReplyDelete"systematically remove the letter "W" from every computer key-pad in the entire White House"
ReplyDeleteThat was priceless!!!
"I watch the Fox channel"
ReplyDeleteWell, there's your problem.
"How will a Bankrupt, overspending government who just passed the biggest Spending umm I mean "stimulus" bill save the bankrupt banks?"
ReplyDeleteWasn't it Bush and Paulson who gave the first 700 billion in cash directly to the banks back in October? How did that work out?
twocents...so because Bush screwed up...its ok for obama to dble the screwup? Lack of any oversite with fannie n freddie and aig is what started this destruction....its clear which party is being most destructive....very clear who is forcing socialism.....very soon it wont matter about party....rather who will wear a turban and who will resist it
ReplyDelete12:09
ReplyDeleteIt didn't. But apparently Democrats don't learn from anothers mistake.
The statement about Bush's pardons is a bit confusing. Bush did issue pardons and clemencies (189 and 7 respectively) during his presidency. However, none on the final day, and far fewer than almost any other president in history:
ReplyDeleteThe final figures on President Bush’s clemency record establish that he granted fewer pardons and commutations than any two-term president since Thomas Jefferson, and fewer per term than any full-term president since John Adams, with the exception of his father. Statistically, he is tied with his father for the lowest favorable grant rate for pardon petitions (9.8%), and his grant rate for commutations barely registers (.012%). While he pardoned fairly regularly through out his two terms, 76 of his 189 pardons and seven of his eleven commutations were granted in his final year.
President Bush received more clemency petitions than any president since FDR (not counting petitions received pursuant to general grants of amnesty), and he denied more. In eight years, he denied almost 7500 commutation and 1800 pardon requests, three times the number denied by Bill Clinton....
Here we go with that "s" word again. How original.
ReplyDeleteThe question was about banks wasn't it? What is included in the current stimulus bill for banks?
Your statement of Bush not issuing pardons is not correct. I have included information from MSNBC's website regarding this issue from Nov. 24, 2008:
ReplyDeleteIncluding these actions, he has granted a total of 171 and eight commutations. That’s less than half as many as Presidents Clinton or Reagan issued during their time in office. Both were two-term presidents.
On the latest pardon list were:
—Leslie Owen Collier of Charleston, Mo. She was convicted for unauthorized use of a pesticide and violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
—Milton Kirk Cordes of Rapid City, S.D. Cordes was convicted of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act, which prohibits importation into the country of wildlife taken in violation of conservation laws.
—Richard Micheal Culpepper of Mahomet, Ill., who was convicted of making false statements to the federal government.
—Brenda Jean Dolenz-Helmer of Fort Worth, Texas, for reporting or helping cover up a crime.
—Andrew Foster Harley of Falls Church, Va. Harley was convicted of wrongful use and distribution of marijuana and cocaine.
—Obie Gene Helton of Rossville, Ga., whose offense was unauthorized acquisition of food stamps.
—Carey C. Hice Sr. of Travelers Rest, S.C., who was convicted of income tax evasion.
—Geneva Yvonne Hogg of Jacksonville, Fla., convicted of bank embezzlement.
—William Hoyle McCright Jr. of Midland, Texas, who was sentenced for making false entries, books, reports or statements to a bank.
—Paul Julian McCurdy of Sulphur, Okla., who was sentenced for misapplication of bank funds.
—Robert Earl Mohon Jr. of Grant, Ala., who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
—Ronald Alan Mohrhoff of Los Angeles, who was convicted for unlawful use of a telephone in a narcotics felony.
—Daniel Figh Pue III of Conroe, Texas, convicted of illegal treatment, storage and disposal of a hazardous waste without a permit.
—Orion Lynn Vick of White Hall, Ark., who was convicted of aiding and abetting the theft of government property.
Bush also commuted the prison sentences of John Edward Forte of North Brunswick, N.J., and James Russell Harris of Detroit, Mich. Both were convicted of cocaine offenses.
Forte, a well-known hip hop artist, worked with the Fugees, Wyclef Jean and Herbie Hancock.
Let's not make George W. out to be something he was not....please!
The history is already there but I swear there are a lot of people trying to rewrite it. It is what it is folks, the good, the bad and the ugly.
Regarding Bush, the word is Honorable". Do not forget, the clintons themselves took white house furniture & furnishings when they left the White House. Some of the stuff had to be returned but was in bad shape, not worth much.
ReplyDeleteTypical clinton, not worthy. But he did thank America for "...the great ride..." as he boarded AF II. which, to me, connotes a good screwing. also, he should never own a dog as 2 he got while in office were struck in traffic. Imagine that, so responsible...NOT.